whiton



(No Model.)` 4

L. E. WHITON.

LATHB CHUCK.

N. 366,749. Patented July 19, 1887..

` Mera/'Lor' zz/cfm UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

LUCIUS E. VHITON, OF NEIV LONDON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE D. E. IVHITON MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

LATHE-CHUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,749, dated July 19,1887.

Application tiled November l7, 1386. Serial No. llfkl lil. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that l, LUoIUs E. XVHITON, of New London, in the county of New London and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lathe-Chucks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improved lathe-chuck ro designed to be rapidly set by hand to receive successive objects of different sizes, and capable of being afterward tightened with great power upon the work held. In connection with this object I have also sought to provide cheapness ofconstruction, durability, and the convenient application and removal of the key by which the chuck is tightened.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central vertical section through the casing, '2O the core contained therein being shown partly in section and partly in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a. transverse section on line .t of Fig. l. In the drawings the outer shell or casing of my improved chuck is represented at A. It is cylindrical both on the outer and inner surfaces, and the outer surface is milled to admit of easy turning by hand. The rear end has internal threads to receive the collar a, by which the core is held in place. The other or 3o front end of the caseis formed with radial slots, in which gripping-jaws slide in the usual mans ner. These gripping-jaws have upon their under or inner faces teeth which engage with the scroll-thread on the face of the core, as in ordinary scroll-chucks. The core B is formed with a head, Z), in the face of which is the scroll engaging with the teeth of the jaws before mentioned. The core is surrounded with a series of worm-wheel teeth, e. Ihe 4o core is attached to the lathe-spindle in the ordinary manner, and the outer case is so fitted to the core as to turn freely thereon. It is also provided. with two or more openings,d, drilled in at right angles to radii of the worm-wheel teeth c, and at such distance from the center ofthe core as to permit the engagement of the key with the worm-wheel teeth on the core. To these holes is fitted. a key, D, which is a simple threaded shaft of convenient length, 5o fitting the worm-teeth and having a suitable handle for turning. I have shown two such openings for the key on opposite sides of the worm-wheel of the central core. The end of the key, when applied and screwed up, abuts against the shoulder c, formed inthe ease at the bottom ofthe drilled opening. The scrollt-hread is so cut that the rotation of the core to the right tends to close the jaws upon the work, and through their resistance thc rotation of the core is transmitted to the outer 6o case and to the work held in the jaws. Assuming the core to be firmly held upon the spindle, it is plain that any rotary movement of the outer case will open or close the jaws, according to the direction in which the case is turned. It is also plain that the operation of the key will force the outer case to turn upon the central core in a direction to tighten or loosen the jaws,according as the key is applied on one side or the other of the core, and that 7o the key may oe easily removed by unscrewing the same from engagement with the worin teeth c.

In the operation of my chuck, assuming the central core to be held stationary upon the lathe or drill spindle, the jaws maybe rapidly changed to receive large or small drills'by turning the case by hand, as described. The jaws may be thus adjusted to hold the drill, and if a stronger grip is desired than can be 8o given by hand it may be applied by means of the key acting as before described. To loosen the grip, the key is applied in the same manner in the other opening on the opposite side, where it bears against the bottom in the same manne1,but acts in an opposite direction upon the teeth of the core. On chucks of larger dameter it may be found convenient to make four or more openings for the key, so that the opening may be in convenient position at 9o whatever point the lathe may stop.

I am aware that lathe-chucks have hereto fore been devised in which a scroll-shaped cam provided with worm-teeth was made to operate the jaws, the cam being operated by a screw-kcy or worm; but I am not aware that any have been heretofore devised in which a detachable screw -key engaging with worin teeth on a central core has been applied in holes ou opposite sides of the shell fortighten- Ioo ing or loosening the grip.'

I claim as my inventionl. In a lathe-chuck, the combination of a central core provided with a scroll-thread and worin-teeth and an outer case for carrying the jaws, provided with two or more openings to receive the key, so arranged that the key may be applied to turn the ease in either direction with reference to the central core, substantially as described. v

2. In a lathe-chuck, the combination of a central core provided with worm-teeth, an outer ease having two or more openings to receive the key, and a key consisting of a screwthreaded shaft and handle for turning, all arranged to cause the case to turn in either direction with reference to the central core by means of the key, substantially as described. 3. In combination, a core fitted to be fixed to a mandrel or lathe-spindle and engaging with the jaws of a chuck, said core having a series of worm-teeth around itself, and a case carrying the jaws, adapted to turn freely on the core,formed to be grasped by the hand for rapid opening and closing and provided with openings whereby a key may be inserted to engage with the wormteeth on the core, all

substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUGIUS E. VHITON.

Titnesses:

D. E. WHIToN, W. E. GRAY. 

